Jenson Button spent last Sunday's Australian Grand Prix well behind the leaders and out of contention before the race even started.

Team racing director Eric Boullier thinks it is possible that McLaren-Honda might be in a position to win Formula One races in 2015. On the other hand, Boullier warned in at least one published report that it may be years before the new British-Japanese collaboration is fully up to speed.

In an interview with Spain's El Pais, Boullier admitted Honda is, in fact, already years behind its rivals Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault.

"When Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes decided to introduce this engine, they began to develop their proposals three years before testing them," Boullier said. "Honda decided to come back in May 2013, so that's only a year and half. Meanwhile, McLaren has undergone a revolution where we had to build everything together, and while that is positive, we need some time. It has been too ambitious to try to be ready so quickly."

Indeed, Australia showed the reality of Honda's situation in all its starkness, as the two McLaren-Honda entries started at the back of the grid. Driver Kevin Magnussen was sidelined when his engine gave out on the first lap, and teammate Jenson Button was lapped twice by winner Lewis Hamilton.

Simply to get through the weekend, Honda had to turn off its energy-recovery systems and run in a conservative mode.

But when asked if the MP4-30 can be a winner in 2015, Boullier answered, "Yes, it is still possible, although not in three, four or five races. But I do believe that we will be competitive."

Button was even more positive.

"This could be great in the future," Button said. "This is what we need in the sport, someone that is going to challenge those Mercedes that are out in front. I really do think that this is the team that can do that. You will see big progress from us this year, but don't expect us to gain two seconds at the next race."